[themaclad]

Birmingham City have named Tony Mowbray as their new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal, six days after sacking Wayne Rooney.

Mowbray, 60, was himself sacked by Blues' Championship rivals Sunderland on 4 December.

Ex-England captain Rooney managed just two wins from his 15 games in charge.

Mowbray is the club's third boss this season after they controversially parted company with John Eustace in October with Blues sixth in the table.

Since then Birmingham have fallen to 20th in the Championship, six points above the relegation zone.

Mowbray spent five years in charge of Blackburn Rovers before being appointed Sunderland boss last season.

He guided Sunderland to the Championship play-offs, but they were beaten by eventual winners Luton Town in the semi-final and he was sacked after a run of just two wins in nine league games before Christmas.

This is Mowbray's third job in the Midlands, having guided Albion to the Championship title in 2008 before later leading Coventry City for 18 months between March 2015 and September 2016.

[themaclad]

Tony Mowbray has temporarily stepped away as Birmingham City boss as he undergoes medical treatment for an unnamed illness.

Mowbray said he was told he requires treatment after undergoing a recent health assessment.

In a statement, the club confirmed Mowbray will step away "for a period of approximately six to eight weeks".

The 60-year-old is just in his second month in charge of Blues, having replaced Wayne Rooney on 8 January.

Mowbray, who took the Blues job after being sacked by Sunderland in December, was in the dugout for Saturday's home win against his former employers.

While he is stepping away from "on-site management" of Birmingham, Mowbray will continue to work with his assistant manager Mark Venus, who will be filling in for Mowbray.

"Undergoing treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the technical area," he said.

"I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment.

"The club has been incredibly supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. I know that everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time."

Since Mowbray took the job at St Andrew's, Blues have taken 10 points from a possible 18 and climbed to 15th in the table.

Birmingham chief executive Garry Cook said Mowbray's temporary replacements will be "given all the support they need" to continue the work started by the former Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion and Celtic boss.

"Our thoughts are with Tony, his wife Amber, and family," Cook said.

"We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming Tony back to the club to continue the excellent work that he has started."

[themaclad]

Tony Mowbray has resigned as manager of relegated Championship club Birmingham City to focus on his health.

The 60-year-old, who had been on sick leave since February, informed the club he would stand down with immediate effect in a bid to ease Blues' rebuilding plans for the start of the new League One season in August.

Blues co-owner Tom Wagner said: “We are disappointed that Tony will not be coming back to lead the team forward but respect his decision to put his health and his family first."

Mowbray, who succeeded Wayne Rooney in early January, won four of his eight games in charge before temporarily stepping down in February.

He then took a full medical leave of absence in March, at which point his assistant Mark Venus also stepped down, allowing former Blues boss Gary Rowett to return.

But Birmingham failed to stay up and Mowbray now wants to "focus on making a full recovery from his surgery and spending time with his family".

Wagner added: "In a short period of time at Blues Tony demonstrated excellent leadership skills and a work ethic that galvanised all around him. He is an outstanding human being and will always be welcome at St Andrew’s."